Better2Know Sexual health & STIs

Herpes Swab Test Home Test Kit

An at-home swab kit for Herpes 1 and 2, suited to people with current symptoms such as sores or blisters who would rather self-collect the sample than visit a clinic.

  • At-home test
  • Subscription available
Sample
Swab
Collection
At-home external swab sample, post to lab; also clinic £145
Results in
5 days
Biomarkers
2
Tests for
  • Herpes 1
  • Herpes 2

Test specifications

Provider
Better2Know
Sample type
swab
Collection method
at-home external swab sample, post to lab; also clinic £145
Turnaround time
5 days
Biomarkers tested
2
At-home test
Yes
Doctor reviewed
No
Gender focus
Both

What's tested

2 biomarkers as listed by Better2Know.

  • Herpes 1
  • Herpes 2

About this test

This kit checks for Herpes 1 and Herpes 2 using a swab sample you collect yourself from the affected area at home, then post to the provider's laboratory. Like the clinic-based version of this test, it is aimed at people who currently have symptoms such as sores or blisters and want to check which type of herpes is responsible, rather than at general screening.

The same swab test is available from a Better2Know clinic for £145, £65 more than this home kit. The difference is who collects the sample: here you do it yourself at home, whereas the clinic version has a trained professional take the swab, with a home nurse visit also offered for that version.

It scores well for value for money and collection convenience, sitting well below the median price for similarly sized sexual health tests we track and requiring no clinic visit. It scores only moderately on results and follow-up, as results are not reviewed by a doctor as standard.

Who is it for?

This kit suits you if you currently have symptoms such as sores or blisters, are comfortable collecting your own swab sample, and would rather avoid a clinic visit and the higher cost that comes with it.

If you would prefer a clinician to take the sample for you, Better2Know's clinic-based Herpes Simplex Type 1 and 2 (Swab) test uses the same two markers for £145, with a home nurse visit also available. If you have no symptoms and want general screening instead, an antibody blood test is the more usual choice. If your symptoms are severe, seeing a GP is also worth considering.

How it works

You collect a swab sample yourself from the affected area at home, following the kit's instructions, then post it to Better2Know's laboratory using the prepaid packaging provided. Results are stated to take five working days and are uploaded to your secure online patient area, with the option to be notified by phone, email or SMS instead. Results are not reviewed by a doctor as standard.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • £65 cheaper than Better2Know's clinic-based version of the same swab test.
  • Can be completed entirely at home, no clinic visit needed.
  • Distinguishes between Herpes 1 and Herpes 2 from a single swab.

Cons

  • No doctor review of results as standard.
  • Self-collected swab sample rather than one taken by a clinician.
  • Five working day turnaround for results.

Our editorial score

Compare Health Test Score Home swab kit, £65 cheaper than the clinic version
Editorial confidence: 9.0/10

This home kit uses a self-collected swab to check for Herpes 1 and 2, aimed at people with current symptoms such as sores or blisters. At £80, it is £65 cheaper than Better2Know's clinic-based version of the same swab test, though a clinician does not take the sample for you.

Score breakdown

  • Clarity and documentation 9.0/10

    The listing publishes a detailed description, the full biomarker list, a stated turnaround, clear collection options, the sample type; it does not state what the report looks like.

  • Clinical depth 7.6/10

    2 biomarkers, placing it in the 51st percentile of sexual health tests we track.

  • Collection convenience 7.0/10

    A swab sample you take at home, no needle; results in around 5 days, slower than similar tests.

  • Results and follow-up 3.0/10

    Results are not doctor-reviewed and no consultation is included; the provider does not describe the report format.

  • Trust signals 6.5/10

    Trustpilot 4.2 from 775 reviews; CQC registered; trading 18+ years.

  • Value for money 8.7/10

    £80.00 against a median of £145.00 for the 108 similarly sized sexual health tests we track (-45%).

Calculated 13 September 2026 from the facts we hold about this test and provider, using our published scoring formula. Scores are not hand-edited.

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